Dear Tired Special Needs Mom

I know how you feel.

I feel it too.

It can be exhausting caring for your child with special needs.

Every mom feels worn down, but this “tired” feeling you and I feel is much greater.

This word “tired” for us means way more than the lack of sleep. Every minute of every day there is worry.

Worry that your child’s school might call you again.

We worry about when the next meltdown will occur and what set it off.

We worry about how our child is feeling because they can’t express it to us.

We worry about who has the energy to be able to care for our child if for some reason we aren’t around anymore.

I know you worry about if he will be accepted or not.

I know you are tired of all paperwork, meetings and therapies.

I know it’s exhausting to always be the one to advocate for his rights.

I know how it feels to be sitting on the grocery stores floor with your child trying to convince them to make it out the door with you.

I know how it feels to have to hold your child during a doctors visits.

I know how it feels to want to hear the words, “I love you!”

I know how it feels when once again the insurance company tells you “NO!”

We are Autism Moms.. we live and breathe autism every day.

We are tired from the constant struggles with communication. We are tired from managing unwanted behaviors.

We are tired of having to explain our beautiful children to strangers’ day in and day out.

Yes, Autism has made us stronger…and no, I do not want to change who my child is. I just want to be not so “tired” and for my son to have a simpler life.

I know you feel alone. But together we can keep each other strong.

I want you to know this fight is worth fighting. We can do this together.

Written by, Alicia Kiechle

My name is Alicia. I am a proud mother of two amazing kids. I have a beautiful daughter named Morgan who is 7 years old and I have an energetic son Kyle who is 4 years old. Kyle was diagnosed on the autism spectrum and is currently nonverbal. Kyle has opened my eyes to a whole new world and a whole new meaning to the phrase, “Love needs no words!”  I am also a Reading Specialist in an all-inclusive elementary school, and I have taken on the role as the Autism Advocate and Coach within the building. I started this group because when my son was first diagnosed at the age of two, I had no one in my life who could understand what I was going through, until I found a few autism blogs online that changed my life. So, I want to in return help other autism parents like myself by sharing our journey, so they don’t feel so alone like I did at first. I want to help teach everyone to always choose kindness and to “Be Kind For Kyle.” Come join us.

Interested in writing for Finding Cooper’s Voice? LEARN MORE

Finding Cooper’s Voice is a safe, humorous, caring and honest place where you can celebrate the unique challenges of parenting a special needs child. Because you’re never alone in the struggles you face. And once you find your people, your allies, your village….all the challenges and struggles will seem just a little bit easier. Welcome to our journey. You can also follow us on Facebook, subscribe for exclusive videos, and subscribe to our newsletter.